New Divorce Law to be Introduced and Other Legislation to Know

Divorce law is set to change in September 2017. Laws are all around us, and many are constantly being updated and redefined in order to adapt to the world around them. All of these have the ability to vastly change the way that we live our lives, which is why it’s vital that we’re all aware of them. In this post, we focus on the changes that are going to be made to divorce/dissolution petitions, as well as childcare allowances and, finally, tax evasion.

Divorce/Dissolution Petitions Changes

The days of booking an appointment with a legal expert to discuss your divorce proceedings could soon be coming to an end. That’s because, due to changes in the law, divorce proceedings and petitions will now be taken online, in what many are viewing as the precursor to all aspects of divorce being taken online.

In order to make the change possible, the document required for the petition is set to become “more comprehensible to lay parties”. This will involve making it simpler and shorter, with firm guidance on how to fill it in.

Overall, this will lead to a remarkable change, placing total emphasis on those getting divorced rather than the solicitors. Ultimately, it could lead to divorces being pushed through quicker, and is the first stage in the entire process being taken online.

Increase in Childcare Allowances

The universal entitlement for free childcare currently stands at 15 hours a week for those aged 3-4. However, slight changes to the system mean that some parents will now be able to claim 30 hours per week.

If you’re a working parent with a child aged 3-4, earning less than £100,000 a year in total (combined salary with your partner) and work over 16 hours per week, then you can claim an additional 15 hours of free childcare, boosting the total to 30 hours.

Applying is easy, too. The government’s online service allows you to apply in minutes, or you can even call their helpline on 0300 123 4097.

Tax Evasion Legislation

The Criminal Finances Act 2017 makes businesses more culpable for tax evasion. Under the new legislation, if an employee of a business encourages or assists other individuals with tax evasion (such as a customer), then the business itself is liable.

Many UK businesses are currently unaware of this change, so make sure you’re clued up, as the potential ramifications could be large. If you’re unsure about how this affects you, then contact a litigation and arbitration expert for help.

To conclude, these laws all come into effect during September. So, regardless of whether you’re a parent concerned about childcare, someone looking to divorce their spouse or a business worried about tax evasion, ensure you’re aware of the changes.